Stoney_06
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2016
- Posts
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Montana
- First Name
- Matt
- Truck Year
- 1984
- Truck Model
- K10 Suburban
- Engine Size
- 402
Hey Guys,
Forum lurker here. I got a 83 Burb that used to have the diesel in it. The guy I bought it from dropped a 396 Big Block out of a 68 Chevelle into about 5 years ago. I've had the rig for about 7 months and keep running into little mechancal gremlins on the engine conversion. The worst so far being the orignal 700R4 losing 2nd gear from the BB conversion. But that is getting fixed with a manual 4 speed here in the next couple months.
My largest concern right now is the engine temprature. When I bought the rig it was constantly reading an engine temp of around 220 to 230 at the gauge. I ended up draining the coolant, installing a block heater and a new thermostat, and putting in some good 50/50. I ran the rig for another couple weeks but the temprature showed the same readings and behavior. Additionally the heads don't appear to be running hot (no smoke or anything. Can touch with a bare hand.) I can grab the upper and lower coolant hoses with my bare hands. I might be hearing a occasional ping sound but I haven't been able to tell if that is actually a heat ping or from another mechanical issue. That being said I believe the thermostat is good or at least not a variable to address.
Next I replaced the temprature sending unit. I have an immediate change in cold start idle. It appears to be running smoother. Is the sending unit related to any other operations such as the electronic choke? Also, my temprature gauge is reading well past the 240 degrees now. I also believe I might have heard the ping again this morning but could not confirm because it wasn't consistent. When I popped the hood I was still able to grab the coolant lines. No smoking. Smooth idle. What the heck?!
My current plan of action is to place an stick thermometer in the coolant line where the it connects to the thermostat. I was also going to use a laser thermometer to check the radiator for plugs and hot spots on the engine.
Should I consider a gauge replacment next? If so what is the recommend reliable budget gauge? Are there other things or parts to test that may be going bad? Is there a possible connection or issue that is a result of the engine conversion that I will need to consider adapting over? I love the engine in Bertha but I'm scared to burn it up.
Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk
Forum lurker here. I got a 83 Burb that used to have the diesel in it. The guy I bought it from dropped a 396 Big Block out of a 68 Chevelle into about 5 years ago. I've had the rig for about 7 months and keep running into little mechancal gremlins on the engine conversion. The worst so far being the orignal 700R4 losing 2nd gear from the BB conversion. But that is getting fixed with a manual 4 speed here in the next couple months.
My largest concern right now is the engine temprature. When I bought the rig it was constantly reading an engine temp of around 220 to 230 at the gauge. I ended up draining the coolant, installing a block heater and a new thermostat, and putting in some good 50/50. I ran the rig for another couple weeks but the temprature showed the same readings and behavior. Additionally the heads don't appear to be running hot (no smoke or anything. Can touch with a bare hand.) I can grab the upper and lower coolant hoses with my bare hands. I might be hearing a occasional ping sound but I haven't been able to tell if that is actually a heat ping or from another mechanical issue. That being said I believe the thermostat is good or at least not a variable to address.
Next I replaced the temprature sending unit. I have an immediate change in cold start idle. It appears to be running smoother. Is the sending unit related to any other operations such as the electronic choke? Also, my temprature gauge is reading well past the 240 degrees now. I also believe I might have heard the ping again this morning but could not confirm because it wasn't consistent. When I popped the hood I was still able to grab the coolant lines. No smoking. Smooth idle. What the heck?!
My current plan of action is to place an stick thermometer in the coolant line where the it connects to the thermostat. I was also going to use a laser thermometer to check the radiator for plugs and hot spots on the engine.
Should I consider a gauge replacment next? If so what is the recommend reliable budget gauge? Are there other things or parts to test that may be going bad? Is there a possible connection or issue that is a result of the engine conversion that I will need to consider adapting over? I love the engine in Bertha but I'm scared to burn it up.
Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk